Models of the Universe

By eitak
  • 500 BCE

    Pythagoras - suggested that the Earth is spherical, and this was accepted by most ancient Greek philosophers at the time

    Pythagoras - suggested that the Earth is spherical, and this was accepted by most ancient Greek philosophers at the time
  • 400 BCE

    Eudoxus - his model had a spherical Earth at the centre of the universe, where the sun, planet, and stars were placed around it. This was known as a geocentric model of the universe.

    Eudoxus - his model had a spherical Earth at the centre of the universe, where the sun, planet, and stars were placed around it. This was known as a geocentric model of the universe.
  • 300 BCE

    Aristarchus - measured the distance between the earth and sun, by measuring the angle between the Moon and the Sun during a half moon and using trigonometry

    Aristarchus - measured the distance between the earth and sun, by measuring the angle between the Moon and the Sun during a half moon and using trigonometry
  • 240 BCE

    Eratosthenes - was the first person to measure the tilt of the Earth and its circumference, which is 39,690km.

    Eratosthenes - was the first person to measure the tilt of the Earth and its circumference, which is 39,690km.
  • 150 BCE

    Ptolemy - developed Aristotle’s geocentric theory of the universe, suggesting that planets like Mars move in circles as they orbit the Earth in circles called epicycles.

    Ptolemy - developed Aristotle’s geocentric theory of the universe, suggesting that planets like Mars move in circles as they orbit the Earth in circles called epicycles.
  • 400

    Aristotle - believed that Earth was different from space because the objects in it are unchanging and perfect. He believed it made more sense for the earth to be rotating instead of the sky spinning around it.

    Aristotle - believed that Earth was different from space because the objects in it are unchanging and perfect. He believed it made more sense for the earth to be rotating instead of the sky spinning around it.
  • 1543

    Copernicus - believed that the planets only travel in perfect circles, so his heliocentric model needed a similar amount of epicycles to explain their observed motions. He developed it as a mathematical model so the Catholic church would accept it.

    Copernicus - believed that the planets only travel in perfect circles, so his heliocentric model needed a similar amount of epicycles to explain their observed motions. He developed it as a mathematical model so the Catholic church would accept it.
  • 1572

    Tycho - made some of the most accurate observations with the naked eye of a new star in the constellation of Cassiopeia. He disproved Aristotle’s concept of an unchanging universe as well.

    Tycho - made some of the most accurate observations with the naked eye of a new star in the constellation of Cassiopeia. He disproved Aristotle’s concept of an unchanging universe as well.

  • Kepler - he stated that planets move faster when they are closer to the Sun

    Kepler - he stated that planets move faster when they are closer to the Sun

  • Galileo - added further proof to the heliocentric theory. Galileo created one of the first microscopes and was one of the first to use the telescope as an astronomical instrument.

    Galileo - added further proof to the heliocentric theory. Galileo created one of the first microscopes and was one of the first to use the telescope as an astronomical instrument.

  • Kepler - he determined the relationship between a planet’s average distance from the Sun and the time it takes to complete one orbit, working out the relative speeds and distances.

    Kepler - he determined the relationship between a planet’s average distance from the Sun and the time it takes to complete one orbit, working out the relative speeds and distances.

  • Galileo - explained why we do not feel the movement of the Earth with his theory of relativity.

    Galileo - explained why we do not feel the movement of the Earth with his theory of relativity.

  • Christiaan Huygens - showed that Saturn also has moons when he discovered Titan. He was also the first to discover Saturn's rings.

    Christiaan Huygens - showed that Saturn also has moons when he discovered Titan. He was also the first to discover Saturn's rings.

  • Bradley - attempted to prove that the Earth moves using a phenomenon known as stellar parallax

    Bradley - attempted to prove that the Earth moves using a phenomenon known as stellar parallax

  • William Herschel - The size of the known universe doubled when he discovered the planet Uranus.

    William Herschel - The size of the known universe doubled when he discovered the planet Uranus.